Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley is under fire after body camera footage emerged of her swearing at an officer and refusing to cooperate during a traffic stop. The incident, which occurred in Webster, New York, has prompted an investigation by New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley has apologized for her conduct during a traffic stop last week that was captured on video. The video shows Doorley swearing at an officer who pulled her over for speeding, refusing to pull over, and attempting to use her position to evade responsibility.
The incident occurred on April 22, 2024, in Webster, New York. Doorley was driving 55 mph in a 35 mph zone when an officer attempted to pull her over. Doorley did not stop and continued driving to her home, where the officer followed her.
In the video, the officer can be seen walking up the driveway and into Doorley's garage, where she had parked her vehicle. The officer asks Doorley to cooperate, but she refuses. As the exchange grows heated, Doorley calls Webster Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier and asks him to order the officer to leave her alone.
"I don't really care," Doorley says at one point.
Doorley also tells the officer that she is the one who prosecutes traffic tickets and that he should just give her a ticket. The officer responds that he doesn't understand her hostility.
At one point, Doorley calls the officer an "a--hole" and tells him to "get out of my f---ing house." The officer is heard saying that Doorley is defying his commands to come outside.
Following the release of the video, New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul said she is seeking a state investigation and is referring Doorley to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct.
"District Attorneys are responsible for prosecuting criminal and traffic offenses, and must perform their duties with the highest ethical standards," Hochul said in a statement. "We are deeply grateful to the men and women of law enforcement who put on a uniform each day to protect the safety of all New Yorkers."
Doorley has acknowledged her actions and issued a statement on Thursday claiming she "was driving home following a busy day at work" and admitted "that I was not paying attention to my speed on Phillips Road in the Town of Webster."
"I acknowledged that I was speeding and I accepted the ticket. By 1:00 p.m. the following day, I pled guilty and sent the ticket to the Webster Town Court because I believe in accepting responsibility for my actions and had no intention of using my position to receive a benefit. Nobody, including your District Attorney, is above the rule of law, even traffic laws," Doorley said.
In her video apology, Doorley offered another apology to the officer she berated and acknowledged that her behavior was wrong.
"But we all have bad days and stress, and it was wrong for me to take it out on an officer who was just doing his job," she continued. "While I previously apologized to him, I will say it again, I’m sorry. Police already have a tough job and that day, I made this officer’s job harder."
Doorley concluded her apology by saying she would take ethics training and discipline herself.
"If one of my assistant district attorneys had acted this way, I would’ve disciplined them. So I’m disciplining myself. I will make this right," Doorley said.
Fox News' Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
